Kaplan, WGN-AM agree to new multiyear deal

Longtime WGN-AM 720 sports talk host David Kaplan has agreed to a multiyear deal to stay with the radio station. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“I’m blessed that I get to keep talking sports in my hometown,” said Kaplan, 53. “It doesn’t get better than that.”

Kaplan, who started with the station in 1995, will continue as afternoon drive sports reporter and host of a nightly sports talk show. His role with station may expand as WGN Radio continues to evolve under the leadership of veteran radio executive Jimmy de Castro, who took the helm in June.

“We’re going to do a multiyear deal with him and we expect it to have lots of different elements as it grows,” said de Castro, president and general manager of WGN Radio.

De Castro has brought back a number of WGN Radio alumni including Steve Cochran and Kathy & Judy in a return to the station’s roots. The re-signing of Kaplan, a versatile broadcaster who also hosts the nightly cable show "Sports Talk Live" on Comcast SportsNet Chicago, dovetails with de Castro’s long term vision for the station.

“Dave is one of the best known radio and television personalities in sports,” de Castro said. “He’s a terrific asset and we’re really excited to have him.”

WGN Radio is ranked 7th in Chicago with a 3.9 audience share, according to the latest ratings from Nielsen Audio. Chicago-based Tribune Co. owns WGN Radio, the Chicago Tribune and other media properties.